She chose neither; and the matter ended by her father himself carrying her away, and giving orders that she should be put to bed. Belle was very sorry for all this, and could not help feeling as if she somehow was to blame, although the matter of the locket was one too near her little heart to be given up. But she went to her uncle when her own bed-time came, and begged that she might go and wish Mabel good-night, and be friends with her once more. But Mr. Walton thought it better, as did Belle's own papa, that the wilful child should be left to herself till the next day; and he dismissed Belle with a kind kiss, saying,-- "Mabel will feel better in the morning, dear, and then she will be ready to make friends with you; but just now I am afraid she is still too naughty to meet you pleasantly." [Illustration] [Illustration] IX. _BELLE'S MISFORTUNE._ Mr. Walton was sadly mistaken when he thought that his little girl would have forgotten her ill-temper and be ready to be pleasant and good-humored in the morning. Mabel awoke sulky and pouting, quite determined to believe that Belle had grievously injured her, and obstinately refusing to be reconciled unless she would consent to give up the locket. Had Belle been willing to do this, her papa and uncle would not have permitted it; but, though Mabel was in a state of displeasure with the world in general that morning, she chose to consider Belle as chief offender, and treated her accordingly. "But it's Sunday," said Belle, when she refused to kiss her for good-morning. "Don't I know that?" snapped Mabel. "But I don't like to be cross with any one on Sunday," pleaded Belle. "You're cross to me, and so I'll be cross with you,--Sunday and Monday and every day," said the disagreeable child. "Now leave me be." And Belle, seeing that Mabel was not to be persuaded into a better temper, was forced to do as she said, and let her alone. And all day, Sunday though it was, Mabel was even more peevish, exacting, and troublesome than usual, till she was a burden and torment to herself and every one about her. When Monday morning came she was rather more reasonable, but still persisted in being "offended" with Belle, and even refused to walk on the same side of the street with her when they were going to school. "Will you wear your new locket, Miss Belle?" asked Daphne when she was making her little mistress ready for school. "No, I guess not," said Belle: "something might happen to it, and maybe it's too nice." "I reckon it's not too fancy," said Daphne, holding up the locket and looking at it admiringly: "you may wear it if you like, and mebbe Miss Ashton would like to see it."